Rory Buckley of repair specialist Warranty Direct said: “The worst is yet to come. The recent storms and risk of freezing conditions later this month threaten to deliver the worst pothole season ever seen in the UK.”

Warranty Direct has seen a 159 per cent increase in axle and suspension damage linked to potholes since 2010.

It says the average repair bill is £247 and reckons the total UK cost last year was a staggering £729million.

Cash-strapped councils are struggling to fix the problem. Surrey expects repairs to cost £5million after 315 roads were flooded and North Norfolk is facing a £3million bill.

In Cornwall the cost will be £2million. Dorset county council says more than 1,000 potholes and cracks have opened up since January 1.